But a BCBC spokeswoman said: “As well as publicity on the pilots, the subsequent roll-out was highlighted in an article in the last edition of the County Borough Bulletin, which is delivered to every household in the borough.

She said cabinet reports on the subject were available on the borough website and the media had attended meetings.

Speaking on behalf of the 10 councillors, Coun Aspey claimed there had been a lack of public consultation since the 2009 trials.

The councillors said they did not think the switch-off plan was unreasonable but said this “cut to local services” was disguised as a “carbon reduction exercise”.

The council spokeswoman said residents in any affected ward would be informed via a “detailed, hand-delivered letter”, as would the relevant borough councillor.

She added that the authority did not consider the plans a cut in services and said it was a genuine attempt to meet rising fuel costs and to protect the environment. She said no negative feedback had been received in areas where lights had been switched off and assured residents that the scheme would be “carefully monitored”.

She added: “BCBC’s carbon-reduction scheme was successfully piloted in parts of the borough in 2009 in response to our 27% increase in energy bills,” she said. “The success of these pilots, including the environmental impact and the significant savings it generated, has led to a wider-staged roll-out across the borough.”